Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $17.18 an hour ($35,720 a year). About 1,380 people work in this job there.
That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($38,150). Iowa ranks 42nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.15 | $29,440 |
| 25% of workers | $14.71 | $30,590 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.18 | $35,720 |
| 75% of workers | $18.76 | $39,020 |
| 90% of workers | $22.70 | $47,220 |
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Ames | $38,300 | 90 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $37,560 | 320 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $36,470 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $36,240 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids | $36,210 | 150 |
| Iowa City | $35,310 | 50 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +9.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 23,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistants | $39,350 |
| Medical Assistants | $45,480 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 |
| Animal Caretakers | $30,080 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $40,660 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 |
| Paramedics | $60,590 |
| Phlebotomists | $38,240 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.